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The book of Job has always been challenging for me. After reading it I come away with more questions than answers. What message is YHVH trying to convey to His people? Why was Job subjected to such a trial. It appears what Job’s three friends are saying, for the most part, is correct; why were they corrected by YHVH?

Job 42:7-8

It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. "Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has."

Yet YHVH did not hold Job guiltless either:

Job 38:1-3

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, "Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? "Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!

Another question; How did Elihu get into the picture? Why was he not corrected by YHVH? (Job chapters 32-37). Elihu’s words are words of wisdom, of truth, like the words of a Prophet, we might consider them. Could he be a messenger from YHVH?

Think about some of Elihu’s comments:

Job 33:3-4

(NLT)I speak with all sincerity; I speak the truth. For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Verse 8-13

"You have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard your very words. You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin; I am innocent; I have no guilt. God is picking a quarrel with me, and he considers me his enemy. He puts my feet in the stocks and watches my every move.’ "But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being. So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints?

Elihu’s answer to why: v:14-22

For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride. He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death.

"Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds, with ceaseless aching in their bones. They lose their appetite for even the most delicious food. Their flesh wastes away, and their bones stick out. They are at death’s door; the angels of death wait for them.

A special messenger? Who is interceding? What is the Ransom?: v23-28

"But if an angel from heaven appears––a special messengerto intercede for a person and declare that he is upright–– he will be gracious and say, Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life.’ Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s, firm and youthful again. When he prays to God, he will be accepted. And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing. He will declare to his friends, ‘I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it. God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light.’

Elihu tells Job to keep silent and he will teach him wisdom – yet YHVH did not correct Elihu: v29-33

"Yes, God does these things again and again for people. He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life. Mark this well, Job. Listen to me, for I have more to say. But if you have anything to say, go ahead. Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified. But if not, then listen to me. Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!"

Only a prayerful study of the words of Elihu will show the wisdom of Elohim.

34:14-15

If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust.

V:21

"For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do.

V:31-33

"Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’? Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done––tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’? "Must God tailor his justice to your demands?...

35:12-14

And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride. But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen, to say the Almighty isn’t concerned. You say you can’t see him, but he will bring justice if you will only wait.

36:5

"God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding.

V:8-10

If they are bound in chains and caught up in a web of trouble, he shows them the reason. He shows them their sins of pride. He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil.

V:17

But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld.

V:24

Instead, glorify his mighty works, singing songs of praise.

37:6-7

"He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power.

V:15

He makes these things happen either to punish people or to show his unfailing love.

It is also interesting when YHVH speaks to Job; it is not in some mighty awe inspiring miraculous way; He only points Job to His creation and the creatures; this to humble Job

(chapters 38 thru 42).

Job responds once in chapter 40:3-5

Then Job replied to the LORD, "I am nothing––how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say."

YHVH would not let him off with that comment and continues to demand answers from Job

(chapter 40-41). Job’s final response to YHVH 42:1-6 Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I––and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance."

Oh! May I never question my Creator. Keep us humble Father, keep us in Yeshua our Intercessor who paid our ransom. Blessed be your name.

Proverb

Elihu in the book of Job speaks of pride as a reason Elohim does not hear our prayers and the reason we are caught up in a web of trouble; here we find proverbs to the same effect.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor…

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low…

Wisdom says:

Proverbs 8:13 "…Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.

Saying (s)

We develop our proactivity by handling the little things: the rude driver, the child who breaks a dish, the inconsiderate supervisor, the employee who botches a simple job.

Annoyances are actually opportunities to practice our proactivity. When we follow our values in the context of little annoyances, we strengthen them, which can help us avoid crises. Stephen R. Covey

Proactive: (of a policy or person or action) controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than waiting to respond to it after it happens.

The best way we can be proactive is to have our values cemented in the Word of Elohim. Then daily disturbing situations will not control our lives. We will not be responding inappropriately or looking for some excuse or someone to blame. Instead our example will show we are trusting in YHVH, who never fails.

Bible Quiz

How did Simon reply to Yeshua’ instruction to put out into deep water?

Which Psalm begins "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth"?

In writing to the Romans, Paul told them he planned to visit them on his way to what place?

Who in a prayer thanked God that he was not like other men?

How did Jacob obtain the blessing of the firstborn son instead of Esau?

Who, even in all his splendor, was not dressed like the lilies?

Who said, "Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you"?

Humility

In our pursuit of humility:

"We must learn of Jesus, how He is meek and lowly of heart. He teaches us where true humility begins and finds its strength - in the knowledge that it is God who works all in all, that our place is to yield to Him in perfect resignation and dependence, in full consent to be and to do nothing of ourselves. This is the life Christ came to reveal and to impart - a life to God that came through death to sin and self." Andrew Murray

Yeshua said we must abide in Him and He will abide in us(John 15:4). This is the only way to the true humility which is acceptable to the Father

James 1:21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

Did you know:

In 1845 Captain John Franklin and 93 men sailed from England in July. Their mission was to map a course through northern Canada to the Pacific.

They took supplies and food for a duration of three years. They also took with them a new technology called "canned food". The canned foods were sealed with a lead seam. The crew died from lead poisoning and starvation.

Lighter Side

Actual Business Signs

On Maternity Room door. "Push, Push, Push."

At an Optometrist’s office: "If you don’t see what you are looking for, you have come to the right place."

On a Scientist’s door: "Gone Fission."

On a Butcher’s window: "Pleased to meet you."

Outside a Muffler Shop: "No appointment necessary. We will hear you coming."

Outside a Hotel: "Help wanted. We need inn-experienced people."

In a Beauty Shop: "Dye now."

On the door of a Computer Store: "Put for a quick byte."

In a Restaurant window: "Come in and get fed up."

Inside a Bowling Alley: "Please be quiet. We need to hear a pin drop."

On the door of a Music Library: "Back in a minuet."

In a Counselor’s office: "Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."

In a Podiatrist’s window: "Time wounds all heels."

Thought

Lofty Ideals

Our safety is in having lofty ideals, and in constant labor to secure their realization. Let the getting of money be a man’s ideal, and he will of necessity grow toward the dust; let a man hunger and thirst after the kingdom of God, and he will grow into strength and enjoy an unspeakable peace. Joseph Parker.

The Power of Thought

What a grand power is the power of thought! And what a grand being is man when he uses it aright; because, after all, it is the use made of it that is the important thing. Character comes out of thought; or rather thought comes out of character. The particular thoughts are like the blossoms on the trees; they tell of what kind it is. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is." Sir Walter Raleigh

A Story

Time to go it Alone

This story has a happy ending. Van left after his year of instructing Bill and Mabel. He had done well establishing them in the community and on the Hargrove Estate. With their roots firmly established in the Word of God, they were able to rightly administer the local and state laws as they applied the Estate and their neighbors. Mr. Hargrove was not disappointed in his selection of Bill because of his moral character and hard work ethics.

Mabel had grown into a fine, young healthy lady. She bore Bill a son that grew into a God fearing man. He was able to care for the Estate and his parents in their old age.

Bill Moore went on to establish a community of seventh day Sabbath keepers. He started with a home fellowship by instructing, those who were willing, in the whole of Scripture. Not only did the area become known as those ‘Bible Believers’ some branded them as ‘Keepers of the Law’. Despite the mocking their community grew and prospered. More and more families were able to purchase their own land instead of being burdened with tenant status as they were obedient to Scriptural understanding.

When some saw their blessing for obedience to the Scriptures, they in turn, were convicted to follow the example of the Moore’s and began to desire the truth of Scripture. Of course there were those who could not see how the seventh day Sabbath could apply to modern day Christians. These had nothing to do with the ‘Law Keepers" except when it came to trading. Why? Because of the fine quality products and animals and fair deals, for which they were known.

YHVH does work in mysterious ways. His desire is we seek Him in all we do and trust Him to care for us as He does all His creation. Yeshua came to be our ransom, so that we might have access to the Father; to re-establish the relationship Adam and Eve had in the beginning. Not all will experience a perfect, healthy, prosperous physical life now but we can have and experience the fellowship of the Father and the Son. That fellowship overshadows any of this life’s difficulties. There is no value we can place on peace of mind, the freedom from sins bondage and the blessed assurance of everlasting life in the Kingdom of God.

Quiz Answers

1. "Master we have worked all night and have caught nothing - Luke 5:5

2. Psalm 100 - Psalm 100:1

3. Spain - Romans 15:24

4. The Pharisee - Luke 18:11

5. By tricking his father Isaac into thinking he was Esau - Genesis 27:1-29